Thank you, Booksparks, for gifting us a copy of In a Not So Perfect World in return for an honest review.
As fans of romance in novels, we never shy away from what comes with it. A fantasy novel with a romance plot? Sold. A historical novel with a romance for the ages? Count us in. A rom-com where the main female character is also a game designer? Say less. While the main character’s job isn’t the only thing that caught our eye with Neely Tubati Alexander’s novel In a Not So Perfect World, it was a big help. Tie that in with the fake romance trope and forced proximity; we couldn’t pass it up.
The rom-com follows Sloane Cooper, who, in a way to get her dream job at a top video game company, agrees to remain single and fully dedicated to her work. However, Charlie, the hot neighbor, proposes taking a trip to paradise as a ruse to make his ex-girlfriend come running back to him. Of course, Sloane agrees because who wouldn’t want to work on their dream project from the beaches in Turks and Caicos? Despite sparks flying, Sloane needs this trip to stay as fake as possible to ensure she doesn’t get knocked off the professional path.
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First and foremost, we want to share that we liked In a Not So Perfect World. The romantic tension between Sloane and Charlie carries us throughout the book. It feels very friends-to-lover with enough tension to keep us on the hook until the end. Of course, it does hit the typical road bumps that romance novels usually do, like messy drama we have to wade through and the typical third-act nonsense.
But, in the end, everything is tied up in a sweet bow. And really, isn’t that what we all want from a romance novel? It gives us the feeling of being swept off our feet. There is hope that after the curtains close, Sloane and Charlie will grow old and have their happily ever after. And in the end, we really get that feeling. The drama between the two isn’t something so far out there that it’s beyond repair.
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That being said, In a Not So Perfect World also has a lot to overcome. Sloane isn’t the worst female character we have ever read, but she isn’t the best, either. She comes across as saying, “I’m not like other girls,” a lot in the beginning. In one particular moment, the audible sigh of disappointment couldn’t be held in as she described how she knew no other female designers interested in making video games filled with zombies and aliens and “manly stuff.” And then there is the very uncomfortable job interview in which we were begging her to tell them to kick rocks and walk away.
Thankfully, the character growth really hits, and the Sloane we see in the beginning becomes a nearly new person by the end. Some of this comes from her interactions with Charlie, but most is entirely on her growing and seeing the world around her. It’s what makes us thankful that we stuck around through the rough opening. Overall, In a Not So Perfect World, there is a lot to enjoy. It’s an easy read filled with sweet moments and enough drama to keep readers invested until the end.
We suggest picking up and checking out In a Not So Perfect World when it drops on March 19, 2024.
https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/new-book-releases-february-13-2024/
Who I Am: A nerd by the strictest definition. I enjoy diving straight into my favorite fandoms without a care in the world. I live on video/board games, fantasy movies and TV, and all things geeky.
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